WASHINGTON, DC (LOOTPRESS) – A federal judge in Louisiana has struck down a key portion of federal regulations requiring most U.S. employers to accommodate workers seeking time off for abortions, delivering a significant win for conservative lawmakers and religious organizations.
The ruling, issued Wednesday by U.S. District Judge David Joseph, invalidated the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) interpretation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) that included abortion as a condition requiring workplace accommodations. Judge Joseph, a Trump-appointed federal judge, ruled that the EEOC overstepped its authority in mandating accommodations for elective abortions under the law.
“Had Congress intended for abortion to be covered, it would have spoken clearly, especially given the social and political importance of the issue,” Joseph wrote in his decision.
The ruling stems from consolidated lawsuits brought by the attorneys general of Louisiana and Mississippi, along with several Catholic institutions, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill celebrated the decision, calling it “a win for Louisiana and for life.”
The court’s decision vacates the abortion-related provision of the EEOC’s guidelines but leaves the rest of the regulations intact.
A Setback for Advocates of Reproductive Rights
The EEOC’s inclusion of abortion under the PWFA sparked immediate backlash from Republican lawmakers and religious organizations, undermining the bipartisan support that had helped pass the law in December 2022. The law was designed to expand protections for pregnant workers, particularly low-wage earners who are often denied accommodations such as extra bathroom breaks or time off for medical appointments.
While abortion was not explicitly mentioned in the text of the law, the EEOC interpreted it as a related medical condition. This interpretation passed in a 3–2 party-line vote by the commission, with Republican members opposed.
Advocacy groups condemned the ruling. Inimai Chettiar, president of A Better Balance, the organization that led the decade-long campaign for the law’s passage, called the ruling part of “a broader attack on women’s rights and reproductive freedom.”
What’s Next for the EEOC?
The ruling leaves the EEOC in a state of limbo. In recent months, the Trump administration has moved to reshape the agency by removing Democratic commissioners and nominating Republican replacements. Until those nominations are confirmed, the EEOC lacks the quorum needed to revise or rescind regulations, leaving its current rules vulnerable to legal challenges but difficult to amend.
Acting EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, who opposed the abortion provision, has stated she intends to push for its removal once the commission regains its voting power.
More legal challenges are already underway. A separate lawsuit led by 17 states, including Tennessee and Arkansas, is currently moving through the courts. In February, a federal appeals court allowed that lawsuit to proceed.
While the Justice Department under President Biden had previously defended the EEOC’s rules, it remains unclear if the Trump administration will continue that defense moving forward. The DOJ did not comment on the latest ruling.
Chettiar believes the administration is unlikely to appeal the Louisiana decision, signaling a broader policy shift.
“The impact of this is huge,” she told the Associated Press. “It’s symbolic and a big signal of where the right is when it comes to the rights of women.”
Despite efforts to limit the scope of the PWFA, the Trump administration has not challenged the law itself, which remains in effect and continues to provide broader protections for pregnant workers—excluding those seeking abortion accommodations.
